Now that spring has officially arrived, we’re just one swift bunny hop away from Easter.
Interestingly, the reasons as to why we tend to eat what we do on the Easter holiday are a bit of mixed bag (or basket, because we like to be cute over here).
Items found at traditional Easter meals have roots in a few different theologies, particularly Jewish Passover traditions, early Christian theology and European pagan spring festivals. It marks the end of the 40-day Lenten fast, acting as a celebratory feast of abundance. Common dishes to feast upon include lamb, eggs, ham, smoked salmon, hot cross buns and all sorts of spring veggies.
If having a sensational spread of good food is your bag, then look no further than these Hamptons eateries to make setting your Easter dinner (or brunch) table a whole lot easier.
Nick & Toni’s, 139 N. Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-3550
Classic Easter dishes are served up with an elevated northern Italian twist. Slated to be featured are cured wild salmon over sesame seed tartlets, lemon ricotta pancakes with berries and cream, Prosciutto di San Daniele and fontina Croque Madame, and roasted Colorado lamb loin. Brunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $95 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
American Hotel, 95 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-725-3535
The Sag Harbor staple is pulling out all the stops for a special Easter meal, set for diners to enjoy from noon to 8:30 p.m. A true celebration of the new season, spring vegetable crudite with lemon basil mayonnaise, smoked salmon with horseradish and chilled English pea and crab soup are found among starters. If you’re not quite ready for a cold soup just yet, a game consommé will be available as well. Roasted legs of lamb, wild halibut, lobster risotto, jumbo lump crab cakes with whole grain mustard butter and grilled petite filet mignon are expected to round out the entrees. $145 for adults, $85 for kids.
Claude’s Restaurant at the Southampton Inn, 91 Hill St., Southampton, 631-283-6500
A traditional Easter brunch buffet will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $45 for adults, $24 for kids under 12. From upscale breakfast staples to winning savory lunch-style options (seriously, their New England clam chowder was named the winner of last year’s Southamptonfest chowder contest), Claude’s is sure to satisfy. Hop on board for the Southampton Inn‘s additional Easter Sunday celebration: the 26th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Free for all ages, the hunt begins promptly at 10 a.m. on the South Lawn.
R.aire at The Hampton Maid, 259 E. Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, 631-728-4184
The early bunny catches the egg, in more ways than one. Starting at 8 a.m., the Hampton Bays locale will host a festive brunch the whole family will love. Menu items will range from California omelettes and corned beef hash, to breakfast naan and chocolate chip pancakes (for the kids). Additionally, the Easter Bunny and egg hunt will be from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (please bring your own basket). Brunch is $50 for adults, $25 for kids. For more details and to book reservations, click here.
The Rams Head Inn, 108 South Ram Island Drive, Shelter Island, 631-749-0811
Celebrate the Easter holiday with a prix fixe brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. $95 for adults, $45 for kids age 10 and under. If you’re more of a dinner crew, catch the a la carte dinner instead, which will run from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Don’t forget to join in for an egg hunt starting at noon. There’ll also be live music and lawn games (weather permitting). Book your resy here.
Stone Creek Inn, 405 Montauk Highway, East Quogue, 631-653-6770
Do Easter Sunday in style at Stone Creek Inn with a three-course prix fixe for $89 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. An ode to the new start of the spring season, menu items are slated to include lobster bisque, fritto misto, ricotta potato gnocchi with asparagus and spring peas, mustard-crusted rack of lamb, Thai vegetable stew, and herb-crusted swordfish. There’ll also be a children’s three-course prix fixe menu available for $45 (for kids 12 and under). Additionally, a special a la carte menu will be available for take-out.
L&W Market, 2493 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, 631-537-1123
Are you more of a set-it-and-forget it, no-muss-no-fuss kind of person when it comes to cooking for the holidays? No problem, because L&W has you covered. Appetizer offerings slated to be on tap for to-go include chef Jason Weiner’s legendary deviled eggs, cheese boards, crudite and antipasto platters, and shrimp cocktail. Mains include honey mustard-glazed Berkshire hams and roasted Colorado racks of lamb with minted salsa verde. Keeping it classic, sides will include roasted asparagus with parmesan, spring peas and snap peas cooked in house-smoked bacon and bombed out with spring onions, and roasted beets with cara oranges and smoked feta. Oh, and don’t forget about sides of mac-n-cheese, too. Order by noon Friday, Apr. 3, for pick up Saturday (Apr. 4) or Sunday (Apr. 5).
Harvest on Fort Pond, 11 S. Emery St., Montauk, 631-668-5574
The Easter options on their menu haven’t hatched as of this writing, but the venerable family-style eatery opened over 30 years ago, there’s nary a free seat in the house on any given night (and that certainly goes for holidays!). They are accepting Easter Sunday reservations between 2 and 8 p.m., so hop to it and call A.S.A.P. if Harvest is your happy place.
Bistro Été, 760 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, 631-500-9085
Since they re-opened for spring this month, chef Arie Pavlou is clearly energized for the season ahead, with loads of fun come-on-in specials and surprises, like Thursday Burger Night (dry-aged, yo!), his weekend Spring Prix Fixe for $48, Sunday night Caviar After Dark sessions, upcoming Restaurant Week, Passover, Mother’s Day and, of course, Easter from this Cyprus-born chef. Pavlou will be doing a special la carte Easter lunch menu on Sunday, Apr. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for all you hungry bunnies out there.
